Four vacancies for private citizens on the Toronto Transit Commission have attracted a “remarkable” 483 applications from the public, says Councillor James Pasternak, vice-chair of the civic appointments committee.

That’s about 10 times the average: There were about 1,700 applications in total for 140 seats on city committees and boards over the past 18 months, said Pasternak.

“It’s a great reflection of the interest that’s out there, of the intensity of the conversation — and the goal is to have remarkable talent,” he said, adding that he anticipates the choices for the TTC seats will be heavily scrutinized.

“There’s some great talent in there, of people who have a great depth of experience in urban transportation systems and will be major assets to the board,” Pasternak said.

The qualifications for the individuals, who are expected to help shape a 30-year transit vision for the city, include “directorship and executive level experience” in areas such as strategic business management, capital project construction and management and operations, and information technology.

The criteria have already been criticized as being too high-level and specific to permit participation by average citizens.

An outside recruiting agency is selecting “a top tier” of applicants that will be considered by the civic appointments committee on about Aug. 20. The positions are so critical that the committee’s usual 10-minute interviews will probably stretch to 30 to 40, Pasternak said.

The selections will be presented to council for approval on Oct. 30, probably behind closed doors — but Pasternak expects the committee’s choices will stand.

“We very rarely have any of our civic appointments overturned. We have a very strong track record of having approval,” he said.

The four citizens will join the existing seven-member TTC board composed entirely of councillors. The chair, currently held by Councillor Karen Stintz (Eglinton-Lawrence), will continue to be held by a politician.

One citizen, however, will become vice-chair, a position currently held by Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker (Scarborough). That individual will receive $10,000 a year.

The other citizen members will get $5,000 annually, plus a $450 per meeting per diem.

Pasternak said the new commissioners should be on board by November.

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